Aifreann na Marbh

Members of the Craobh honoured deceased members with dignity and no little skill today at Mass. The Under 12s provided the readers (maith sibh, Ruán agus Aindréa) and proclaimed the lessons and bidding prayers faultlessly. The Under 15s backboned the music, with Miss Hamilton’s getting its first public airing (well done to the O’Reilly girls) and ‘A Mhuire Mhathair’ and ‘Go Raibh Ainm Naofa, Iosa’ also featuring. Some members travelled long distances (bhíomar brea sásta Siobhán, Gearóid agus a Mam a fheiscint) to support this initiative and as always, our special appreciation is extended to the parents who brought and prepared younger members.

Stella, one of our Greek members, was able to join in with the O Riada arrangement of ‘Ar nAthair’ after only three weeks on the ‘Introduction to Irish’ course. Proof, if proof were needed, that it is the course that reaches the parts other courses cannot reach – particularly now that it has members from England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Germany and Australia, as well as Greece! An foghlaimeoir abu!

Our sincere thanks to Fr. Michael Coady, the Parish Priest of St. Patrick’s, who was generous in his welcome beforehand and in his words of thanks during and after Mass. Indeed, many of the congregation made a point of coming up to us afterwards, to ask about the branch and thank us for the music. Is cúis bhróid go bhfuil Craobh Chualann chun tosaigh agus an nasc seo á chothú againn agus tá sé ar intinn againn ceol a sholáthair arís – b’fheidir ag an Aifreann céanna ar an 8ú Nollaig, má tá speis ann chuige. Mile buiochas arís.